Why Your Furnace Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit: Common Causes and Solutions

When a furnace pilot light keeps going out, it quickly becomes a frustrating situation—especially during the colder months in Newton when you rely on that steady warmth. A working pilot light allows your furnace to fire up when the thermostat kicks in, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. When it won’t stay lit, the furnace won’t provide heat, and things inside your home start getting uncomfortable fast.For residents in Newton, this kind of issue usually pops up just when you need heat the most. Whether it’s early fall or the cooler days of September, your furnace needs to be ready for unpredictable temperature drops. If you're dealing with a furnace silent when it should be roaring to life, there may be a few reasons your pilot light won’t stay lit. Each cause has a solution. The key is figuring out what's going wrong and addressing it before it causes more discomfort or damage.

Common Causes Of A Furnace Pilot Light Going Out

There are several common reasons a furnace pilot light won’t stay lit. Most of them have to do with components that are either malfunctioning or need cleaning. These problems usually don't fix themselves, and sometimes it's unsafe to ignore them.Here are a few of the most frequently seen causes homeowners in Newton face:- Accumulated dirt and debris: Over time, dirt builds up around the pilot light nozzle. That buildup can restrict the flow of gas to the flame. If the pilot flame can’t stay strong, it may shut off entirely.- Faulty thermocouple: The thermocouple is a small sensor that controls the gas valve. It detects whether the pilot light is lit and shuts off the gas if there’s no flame. A faulty one might misread the situation and turn off the gas even when the flame is working fine.- Drafts or sudden airflow: If your furnace is in a location where air movement is frequent—near windows, doors, or vents—a burst of air could be blowing it out. Even small drafts are sometimes enough to extinguish a weak pilot flame.- Malfunctioning gas valve: When the gas valve doesn’t work right, it may prevent gas from flowing properly to the pilot light, even if everything else is in working order.Each of these issues can prevent ignition. Sometimes there may be more than one problem at the same time, which makes it harder to pinpoint the exact cause without a technician taking a close look. For example, one homeowner in Newton thought a draft was the cause. After an inspection, it turned out the thermocouple had worn out, and the gas valve wasn’t delivering fuel consistently. Situations like these aren’t uncommon. That’s why it’s important to know what could be behind the faulty pilot light before jumping to conclusions.

Diagnosing The Problem

If your pilot light keeps going out, identifying the reason involves checking a few key components. A safe diagnosis starts with shutting off the power and gas to your system. Once that's done, here are the areas to examine:

1. Look for dirt or blockage in the pilot orifice

Check the tip of the pilot light where the flame usually appears. If there’s dust, rust, or other buildup, that could be clogging the flame and stopping the system from staying on.

2. Inspect the thermocouple

A thermocouple that looks bent, burnt, or extremely dirty can easily give the wrong reading. If it can’t sense heat from the flame, it cuts off the gas automatically as a safety measure.

3. Search for possible drafts

Check for open windows, vents, or gaps near the furnace. Even a slight breeze might blow across your pilot flame and extinguish it before the system finishes cycling up.

4. Check the gas supply and valve

Make sure the gas line valve is open. If the valve is sticking or malfunctioning, it may not allow a steady flow of gas. That can cause the flame to die out after lighting.If you’re noticing more than one of these issues, there’s a good chance the furnace has fallen behind on regular maintenance. It’s smart to have the system inspected and cleaned out before the colder season gets into full swing. Having professionals take a close look helps save time and keeps your home more comfortable and safe.

Solutions to Fix a Pilot Light That Won't Stay Lit

Once you've identified why the pilot light keeps going out, fixing it depends on the source of the trouble. Some problems may seem simple, but working with gas appliances can be dangerous without the right tools and experience. It's always safer to have our technicians handle the repairs. That said, here’s how common issues are typically addressed:

- Cleaning the pilot light opening

If dirt or debris is clogging the flame, the opening must be cleaned out completely. Our technician will disconnect the necessary parts and remove buildup to ensure gas flows smoothly and the flame burns clean and steady.

- Replacing or repairing the thermocouple

If the thermocouple isn’t working correctly, it will need to be tested for voltage and physical damage. A bent or worn thermocouple often can’t detect heat as it should. If that's the case, replacing it usually solves the issue.

- Sealing off drafts and air movement

Sometimes, the fix is as simple as blocking a gap or sealing around a nearby door or vent. Other times, it may involve adjusting ventilation or relocating the unit’s placement. Reducing direct air movement helps keep the pilot light from blowing out.

- Evaluating the gas valve

Malfunctioning gas valves must be tested by someone trained to work with gas systems. Improper gas flow can pose a risk and keep your heating system from powering on. Replacing or adjusting the valve might be needed if it’s not opening at the right pressure.None of these solutions should be handled without proper qualifications. Working with gas requires safety precautions. Attempting repairs without the right help can lead to damage or create hazards inside the home. If you’re in Newton and your furnace continues to struggle, it may be time to bring in our professionals to get to the root of the problem.

When to Seek Furnace Repair in Newton

Knowing when to stop troubleshooting and reach out for help isn’t always obvious. But if you’ve already attempted a reset and the pilot flame still won’t hold, or if problems keep returning after short periods, something deeper could be wrong. Here are a few situations when you should contact our technicians for furnace repair in Newton:- You’re relighting the pilot light often, but it won’t stay on- You’ve inspected for dirt or drafts, but the issue continues- The system won’t start even when the flame stays lit for a moment- You smell gas or notice the flame color looks off (yellow instead of blue)- You’re unsure which part is causing the failure and want a proper diagnosisEven if the initial issue seems small, ignoring it longer can lead to larger repairs down the line. Delayed furnace repair can shorten the system’s lifespan and put added strain on other parts of your HVAC system. Residents in Newton should also keep in mind that problems with older heating units often point to wear that could affect more than just the pilot light.Regular heating maintenance helps catch these issues early before you're dealing with furnace downtime during low temperatures. And if the heating won’t power on at all and you’ve ruled out thermostat or power issues, calling our professionals ensures the job is done safely and correctly.

Keeping Your Furnace Pilot Light Functional Year-Round

The best way to prevent recurring problems with your pilot light is by keeping up with periodic care. With Newton’s changing seasons, a furnace may sit unused all summer before starting back up in the fall. During that downtime, dust can collect or small faults can develop without notice. By the time you need the heat, the system may stop responding altogether.Here are a few steps that help maintain your furnace pilot light:- Schedule yearly cleaning and inspection of your furnace before the cold season- Check surrounding areas for new drafts or changes to airflow that may affect the flame- Avoid storing items too close to the furnace, especially near the pilot assembly- Pay attention to any changes in the flame color, strength, or clicking soundsIf your home has seen remodeling work, duct changes, or even just furniture moved around the furnace, airflow patterns may have shifted. That small change could introduce new challenges the pilot system wasn’t handling before. Our technicians can walk you through what’s changed and what needs to be adjusted.Keeping the pilot light operational isn’t just about heating. It’s about reliability. A failed pilot light can prevent your entire system from turning on. By keeping a steady eye on performance and planning ahead, homeowners in Newton can step into fall with peace of mind and avoid emergency furnace repairs.If your pilot light issues continue to disrupt your comfort in Newton and you need a dependable solution, consider our professionals for furnace repair in Newton to quickly address the problem and restore proper heating to your home. Lavallee Systems is committed to helping homeowners maintain a safe and reliable environment. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.